Anxious week ahead for Watson
It will be a tense week of waitand-see for Matt Watson, but the friendly midfielder surely did everything he could Thursday night to earn another contract with the Whitecaps. Well, almost everything. It was Watson, along with Kenny Miller and Barry Robson, who missed a chance to put Vancouver ahead 2-0 in the second half at the Home Depot Center.
Mike Magee equalized shortly after and Landon Donovan won it for the L.A. Galaxy on a weak penalty call.
That miss was still stinging Watson on Saturday, but coach Martin Rennie certainly won’t let one moment define the midfielder’s first year in MLS.
The simple fact Watson started the game spoke volumes. And then he went out and played his best game of the season. He set up the opening goal, was calm on the ball, covered tons of ground and defended with passion.
“I’ve watched the highlights a few times,” Watson said.
“That one little stretch, when we had those chances, and I had a chance, that really was a huge turnaround. It’s really devastating.
“But as much as we’re going to dwell on it, we’ve got to put it behind us and use it as experience. We gave them a good fight. We take that chance and we’re in the next round against San Jose.”
Watson’s deal paid him $68,500 this season. He’s not guaranteed beyond this year. The Whitecaps have options on the athletic 27-year-old from Redditch, England, for the next three seasons.
It would be a surprise for Rennie not to re-sign Watson, whom he brought to Vancouver after three seasons together with the Carolina RailHawks.
Rennie has admired Watson since he first saw him play in the lower leagues with the Richmond Kickers, Watson’s first stop after playing college at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Rennie went to Watson early this season, starting him the first three games, then went back to him down the stretch, following an ankle injury and considerable training time.
At the very least, he seems an ideal depth player — affordable, well-liked, and hungry. There’s no risk in discovering his upside.
“He’s grown throughout the season, as have a number of guys,” Rennie said after Thursday’s loss, also mentioning goalkeeper Brad Knighton, another Carolina convert.
Still, despite the vote of confidence from his coach, Watson said this week will be nerve-racking, and he won’t be alone.
Rennie is expected to do more than tinker with a team that improved 15 points from last season but still has huge room for growth.
“It’s tough, especially when you have a family,” said Watson, who has two young kids with wife Cat.
“I’ve got to support these guys. I’d love to be back here next year. I think with what I’ve learned this year, I can contribute more to the team. I think you could see I was more relaxed out there (down the stretch).
“It’s definitely disappointing in the way it ended, but it’s been a great experience, and hopefully it’s one that’s going to move my career forward.”